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48 <br /> We recognize and support the need for increased density and infill development within our <br /> municipalities. However, relying solely on infill will not meet the full spectrum of housing needs— <br /> especially for working families. A modest expansion of buildable areas, thoughtfully planned and <br /> with due consideration to environmental sustainability, can help local builders deliver a more <br /> diverse range of housing types and price points in Orange County. <br /> Orange County's current land use policies—particularly the rural buffer—have had unintended <br /> consequences that worsen housing inequality and increase displacement pressure.The high cost of <br /> developable land in Orange County is a direct result of artificially limited supply.This scarcity, paired <br /> with continued high demand to live in our community, has contributed to skyrocketing home prices <br /> in the rural buffer, where million-dollar listings are increasingly the norm. Families who once lived <br /> affordably in these areas are being priced out, and the next generation of residents—including <br /> teachers,first responders,and healthcare workers—are left with few viable housing options nearby. <br /> Moreover, the County's long-standing slow-growth approach has constrained the tax base for <br /> decades, leaving Orange County residents with among the highest property tax burdens in North <br /> Carolina. High-service local governments paired with a limited, and increasingly expensive, housing <br /> inventory creates unsustainable pressure on lower- and middle-income households. In this <br /> environment, failure to accommodate growth and update land use policies not only accelerates <br /> inequity—it risks making Orange County unaffordable to the very residents our community depends <br /> on.We must be honest about these outcomes and bold enough to plan for a more inclusive future. <br /> We believe thatwith careful planning, it is possible to balance growth with conservation,affordability <br /> with quality, and progress with preservation. We stand ready to partner with Orange County and <br /> other stakeholders to help realize a land use vision that reflects the values and aspirations of our <br /> entire community. <br /> Thank you for your leadership, and look forward to the opportunity to discuss these issues with you <br /> in-person in the near future. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Holly Fraccaro <br /> President&CEO <br /> Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange&Chatham Counties <br /> CC: Commissioners Marilyn Carter,Amy Fowler, Sally Greene,Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, Phyllis <br /> Portie-Ascott, County Manager Travis Myren, Planning and Inspections Director Cy Stober <br />